London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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18
SECTION "B" —GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Disinfection and personal cleansing
Details of the work carried out during the year are as follows :—
| West | North | South | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disinfections | ||||
| Premises visited | 202 | 147 | 186 | 535 |
| Rooms disinfected | 4S4 | 346 | 375 | 1175 |
| Articles disinfected | 2S31 | 2914 | 1888 | 7333 |
| Disinfestation | ||||
| Premises visited | 45 | 31 | 18 | 94 |
| Rooms disinfested | 123 | 102 | 56 | 281 |
| Articles disinfested | 134 | 13 | 10 | 157 |
| Articles treated | ||||
| Beds | 62 | 39 | 80 | 181 |
| Mattresses | 225 | 216 | 195 | 636 |
| Bolsters | 56 | 40 | 64 | 160 |
| Pillows | 395 | 339 | 380 | 1114 |
| Cushions | 25 | 45 | 37 | 107 |
| Quilts | 135 | 87 | 133 | 355 |
| Blankets | 557 | 305 | 495 | 1357 |
| Sheets | 88 | 68 | 71 | 227 |
| Household articles | 405 | 325 | 211 | 941 |
| Wearing apparel | 717 | 1463 | 232 | 2412 |
| Total articles | 2665 | 2927 | 1898 | 7490 |
| Articles received from cleansing station | 2793 | 2793 | ||
| Articles received from Coroner's court | — | 524 | — | 524 |
| Public library books treated after infection | 215 | 342 | 219 | 776 |
| Private library books treated after infection | 15 | 14 | 21 | 50 |
| Articles treated under the Public Health (London) Act s.122 | 9951 | 5760 | 20600 | 36311 |
A more detailed analysis of treatments for verminous conditions and for scabies is shown :—
Verminous conditions Table 12
| First cleansing | Second cleansing | Third cleansing | Fourth cleansing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 | 38 | 3 | — | _ |
| School children | 406 | 36 | 1 | 1 |
| Adults | 65 | 3 | - | — |
| TOTALS | 509 | 42 | 1 | 1 |